An Adventurer's Guide To New Zealand

For the nature lover, thrill seeker or energetic adventurer, there is simply no place on Earth that can rival New Zealand. Offering the world's geography in one compact country, this group of islands southeast of Australia boasts an incredible number of world-class spots to ski, sail, rock climb and scuba-dive.

The amazing list of must-see locations goes on and on, while the mere fact that the makers of The Lord of the Rings trilogy chose it as their location for Middle-earth is testament to the country's versatility. Pay attention to the scenery in these epic films and you will see why millions of tourists have fallen in love with New Zealand.

In an attempt to cover as much ground as possible, the following guide breaks down the main cities and sites, activity by activity. Starting off in Auckland and ending in Queenstown, you will get a comprehensive look at the best of New Zealand. For a taste of the sites that will take your breath away, read on.

auckland is abuzz

As New Zealand's biggest metropolitan area and frequent arrival point for travelers, Auckland makes a great first impression. Dubbed the "City of Sails" thanks to its bustling harbor and highest per capita boat-ownership in the world, those who are willing to try a multitude of water-related activities will be happy here for quite some time. In general, Auckland reflects the theme of the rest of the country by offering unique indoor and outdoor experiences.

Though my idea of a trip to New Zealand mostly involves taking in the natural sites and trying out cool sports, it's always encouraged to obtain some background knowledge of the country you're traveling in. One of the city's most important attractions, Auckland Museum Te Papa Whakahiku displays information on New Zealand and its people.

I recommend you head straight for the beach and harbor were it not for one last important man-made site. Sky Tower is the country's tallest structure (reaching even higher than Paris' Eiffel Tower, at 1,076 feet) and provides sightseers with inspiring views from both its observation deck and top levels. From there you can see how the city is magically encircled by the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea.

on to crazier stuff

Nearby, the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park's many islands represent the best opportunity to get physical. Waiheke, though especially busy during the school holidays of December and January, has many strips of prime beach ideal for swimming while its natural bays make it a popular spot for sea kayaking as well.

Great Barrier Island, accessible from Auckland by ferry or plane, offers up opportunities to relax with hot springs or observe the natural landscape with many tramping (what the locals call heavy-duty walking) trails. This park is only one of many places where fun is the ultimate goal. Check out many harbor-front establishments for places to paraglide and skydive.